Ktk: BJP demands High Court probe in RCB stampede
Bengaluru, June 5 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge and compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of each deceased victim in the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of IPL winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory celebrations.
Eleven people died and 33 others were injured on Wednesday in the tragic incident.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress-run Karnataka government, BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa held it "squarely responsible" for the stampede.
He said the incident denoted a "criminal failure of governance".
Addressing a media conference, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of turning a celebration into a "catastrophe" through its "gross negligence".
"This was not an accident — this was avoidable, and it happened because the state government failed in its fundamental duty to protect its people. When over two lakh fans had gathered, there was no crowd management, no police preparedness, and no safety protocol," he said.
The BJP leader alleged that while chaos unfolded at the Stadium, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Sivakumar and other cabinet colleagues were busy near the Vidhana Soudha taking selfies with IPL players. 'At a time when deaths were already being reported, ministers were engaged in photo sessions. This is the height of insensitivity,' he remarked.
Taking serious objection to the Chief Minister's statement that the tragedy occurred only at the stadium and not near the seat of government, Vijayendra said, 'This is a clear attempt to deflect responsibility. While lakhs gathered for celebrations, the police were deployed to guard the VIP zone around the Vidhana Soudha. The state failed to ensure any security for the masses.'
Rejecting the state government's decision to order a magisterial inquiry, he said such probes lack the power to summon senior officials and ministers.
'This is a matter of criminal negligence. A sitting High Court judge must conduct an independent probe. Anything less is a cover-up,' Vijayendra said, adding that the deaths should not be treated as mere 'unnatural deaths' but as a result of administrative recklessness.
Vijayendra also raked up the issue of compensation, contrasting the state's earlier announcement of Rs 25 lakh to the family of a man who died in an elephant stampede in Kerala.
'Why not Rs 50 lakh for each family that lost a loved one here in Bengaluru due to the government's failure?' he asked, demanding the government announce the enhanced ex gratia immediately.
He further urged the government to reach out to the RCB owners, reportedly based in Dubai or London, so that they also contribute to the relief package for the victims' families.
Finally, Vijayendra warned the Congress government against attempting to pin the blame on the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). 'This is not about cricket associations. The state gave the green signal for the event and failed to ensure infrastructure and safety. That is criminal misconduct,' he said. UNI BDN SSP
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